Chapter – 89
The Beast Hide Won’t Come Off
Yi Yuexi was indignant.
“I didn’t cause trouble for my mate!”
His fox-like eyes narrowed as he looked at his mate.
Jiang Xi twisted her head away, refusing to look at him—the meaning was clear.
Yi Yuexi was furious!
In all these years, no female had ever treated him with such disdain!
And yet the person in front of him was his mate—the very one who had once insisted on marrying him at all costs!
The beastfolk always said:
A mate’s affection is often fleeting, and lasting love is rare.
Yi Yuexi had never believed this.
He had always thought that as long as he wanted someone, he could easily claim them!
But recently, he had faced repeated rejections, and it was making him wrinkle with frustration!
At this moment, Lu Liufeng, who had prepared the hot water, walked in.
The atmosphere in the room felt strange.
Still, he didn’t pay much attention and walked straight toward the mate.
Jiang Xi, seeing Lu Liufeng return, breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can I take a bath now?”
She opened her arms toward him, hoping he would help her stand.
But Lu Liufeng stopped in front of her, bent down, and lifted her entirely into his arms.
Just like carrying a child.
Jiang Xi felt a little embarrassed.
Instinctively, she glanced quickly at Huo Lun and Yi Yuexi.
It felt a bit inappropriate to be carried like this in front of so many people.
But she quickly calmed herself.
After all, she was weak and tired. Having Lu Liufeng carry her to bathe would let her avoid staying out in the cold and wind any longer.
Now, only Yi Yuexi and Huo Lun remained in the room.
Yi Yuexi, seeing Lu Liufeng carry his mate away without her struggling, snorted in anger.
He got up and walked toward the door.
Just as he reached it, Huo Lun’s voice came from behind.
“If you want to stay, you’d better not let your temper run wild. You could learn from—”
Before he could finish, Yi Yuexi turned and leaned against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow to interrupt him.
“None of your business.”
After that, he surveyed Huo Lun from head to toe.
From what he knew, Huo Lun was not the type to meddle in others’ affairs.
Even when it came to his mate.
As the young clan leader of the Golden Lion Tribe, Huo Lun’s arrogance and pride were second to none.
Even when he had married his mate, he had only outwardly shown respect, never truly taking her seriously.
While in the Holy City, he mostly stayed in the Golden Lion Tribe and rarely returned.
So Yi Yuexi didn’t think Huo Lun would be a meddlesome beastfolk.
He narrowed his fox-like eyes, scrutinizing Huo Lun carefully.
Then, suddenly, a playful smile appeared on his face.
“I hope that after this winter, you can successfully dissolve your marriage contract and leave this cursed land.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left.
The room was left with only Huo Lun.
Beastfolk have heightened senses.
He could hear the door close as Yi Yuexi returned to his room.
He could also… hear his mate talking to Lu Liufeng in the next room.
“Lu Liufeng, I can’t take it off… can you help me?”
Her voice was soft, almost coquettish…
In Jiang Xi’s room, she was struggling to remove the beast hide.
The awkward thing was that the stains, which hadn’t been cleaned promptly, had now stuck to the hide…
Her hands were too weak, making it impossible to pull it off on her own…
The moment she asked Lu Liufeng for help, she wished she could disappear out of sheer embarrassment.
But there was no one else who could help.
Lu Liufeng had been about to leave, but her words made him pause.
His heartbeat quickened, and he turned back.
The beast hide on Jiang Xi had already been partially loosened, revealing her smooth shoulders. The black-and-white contrast created a striking visual.
“How… how should I help?”
Lu Liufeng didn’t know where to look.
Instinctively, he wanted to look at his mate, but he feared she wouldn’t allow it, so he lowered his gaze.
Jiang Xi’s face was burning with embarrassment.
But if she didn’t let him help, she might not even manage to get the hide off before the water got cold.
She looked at Lu Liufeng’s lowered eyes, pressed her lips together, and said:
“Close your eyes.”
“Okay,” he replied obediently.
He closed his eyes, the thin lids showing faint veins, and long lashes casting tiny shadows.
Occasionally, his lashes twitched, as if ready to open.
This was the first time Jiang Xi had observed him so directly.
Pale skin, high nose, thin lips—a cold, noble appearance.
But when his amber eyes opened, the warmth within softened that coldness.
Jiang Xi took a deep breath, held his hand, and placed it on the hide.
“Just pull it backward.”
The hide was heavy, and with the stains stuck to it, it was sticky and cumbersome.
Partly, this was because Jiang Xi had recently advanced two levels, reaching level 5.
Her body produced more impurities than before.
Combined with her overused abilities leaving her weak, even a simple act like removing her clothing became difficult.
Lu Liufeng held the hide with one hand and carefully touched her shoulder with the other.
Pausing, his voice grew slightly hoarse.
“I’ll support you a little, so it won’t hurt.”
Why did that sound so suggestive…
Jiang Xi’s face burned even hotter, and he mumbled “Mm.”
“Pull.”
Lu Liufeng’s face flushed red, his heart pounding.
Even with his eyes closed, his other senses became heightened.
The touch was slippery and soft.
The scent was intoxicating.
The rustle of the hide…
He couldn’t taste anything, but somehow his mouth watered.
Jiang Xi held the basin, and from behind, Lu Liufeng helped pull the sticky hide off her body.
Feeling the hide gradually come off, she whispered:
“Hurry…”
The position was awkward.
The conversation was awkward.
Even a slightly embarrassed Jiang Xi’s face was red as an apple.
Lu Liufeng let out a muffled “Mm.”
The tearing sound amplified.
With Lu Liufeng’s careful help, the hide finally separated from Jiang Xi’s body.
He instinctively wanted to open his eyes.
But as soon as they lifted, a flash of white made him close them again, lowering his head further.
“All done.”
Jiang Xi almost jumped into the basin in escape.
“Splash.”
Warm water splashed around.
She submerged herself completely, then turned to the lowered Lu Liufeng and said:
“All done.”
